Three Charged for Torching Tesla Vehicles, Stations

dpa

(TNS)

Washington — US Attorney General Pamela Bondi has announced charges against three individuals responsible for fire-bombing Tesla electric vehicles and charging stations.

"The days of committing crimes without consequence have ended," Bondi said in a statement released on Thursday. "Let this be a warning: if you join this wave of domestic terrorism against Tesla properties, the Department of Justice will put you behind bars."

One defendant who was carrying a suppressed AR-15 rifle, was arrested after throwing approximately eight Molotov cocktails at a Tesla dealership located in Salem, Oregon.

Another was arrested in Loveland, Colorado after attempting to light Teslas on fire with Molotov cocktails. The defendant was later found in possession of materials used to produce additional incendiary weapons.

In Charleston, South Carolina, a third defendant wrote profane messages against US President Donand Trump around Tesla charging stations before lighting the charging stations on fire with Molotov cocktails.

Each defendant faces serious charges carrying a minimum penalty of five years and up to 20 years in prison.

Bondi stressed that the Department of Justice is committed to ending all acts of violence and arson directed at Tesla properties and otherwise.

Recently, cars of the brand have been repeatedly set on fire in protest against Tesla founder Elon Musk and his role as the government's chief austerity commissioner for Trump's administration.

Trump had openly expressed support for prosecuting violence against Tesla as domestic terrorism.

©2025 dpa GmbH. Distributed by Tribune Content Agency, LLC.